The creators of Ramo Ramen, located in Kentish Town, were obsessed with serving up complex staple Japenese dishes with a Filipino twist. And thus - Filipino Ramen was born. Let there be light.
The interior of Ramo Ramen is snug (only 40 diners can fit in), but that adds to its atmosphere - a place with this fun of a concept is bound to be crowded. The tables, flooring, and furniture is all made of the same wood, and the walls are grey, but that just makes the Ramo Ramen-themed Godzilla and Kabuki-style art on the walls all the more interesting to look at. There is also usually a DJ playing sets, so be prepared to listen to live music while you get stuck into some noodles.
Ramo Ramen's menu delightfully displays this mixture of Filipino and Japanese cuisine, as evidenced even as early as the starters. Check out the Cassava Bites with edamame puree, topped with roasted almonds, or the Karaage Chicken marinated in toyomansi and served with kewpie mayo. There are also fun katsu rice bowls to try for mains, but clearly you're here for the ramen. Options include the vegan miso and walnut ramen with marinated tofu steak, the chicken sopas ramen with pulled adobo chicken, or the oxtail kare kare in peanut-based beef broth with pulled oxtail and a niitamago egg. Diners feeling experimental can also pick from a selection of ramen add ons, like chicken chicharonnes, tofu, or peashoots.
The drinks menu is extensive, with a bunch of fun cocktails like a guava daiquiri or a selection of sakes, but our eyes were immediately drawn to the fruit and milk teas at the bottom of the menu. Tapioca, lychee or coconut jelly, and various popping balls can all be added into the different teas, and can be a refreshing end (or beginning!) to your meal.